Mutual Recriminations in Skid Row Band

LOS ANGELES (CN) – A former drummer with the hair metal band Skid Row says his bandmates defamed him and tried to erase his rock star history by denying that he was ever a member of the band. In his Superior Court complaint, Philip Varone points out that he has “the black hair, extensive tattoos and good looks of the world’s most popular rock and rollers.”

Varone claims founding Skid Row members David Sabo and James Southworth aka Rachel Bolan spoiled his appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and Tyra Banks’ “The Tyra Show” by telling producers he never had been a member of Skid Row. The claims the pair pulled a similar stunt when Varone joined VH1’s “Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew.” Varone says those “attempts to rewrite history” kept the shows from mentioning his membership in the glam band, which hampered his ability to get gigs. He also claims that Sabo and Bolan spread rumors that Varone had slept with Sabo’s wife, that he is a “liar,” and that he “is a cocaine addict,” contrary to his public claims of sobriety. Varone says Sabo and Bolan had their lawyer tell an Atlanta promoter that Varone had no rights to the Skid Row name and could not claim membership in connection with a scheduled gig. Formed in 1986, Skid Row is best remembered in its late ’80s incarnation, when it was fronted by Sebastian Bach. That lineup lasted through two multi-platinum records, until the band broke up in 1996. Varone says he joined the band’s reincarnation in the post-Bach era, from 2000 to 2003. Varone demands $500,000 for defamation and lost business opportunities. He is represented by Caroline Mankey.